Abortion slaying draws protest

Regional Report - In Brief

June 7, 2009

On the day that slain abortion doctor George Tiller was buried in Kansas, a small group of protesters gathered in downtown Orlando to raise awareness of the killing and support abortion rights. Half a dozen people held signs and a banner that proclaimed, "Murdered by Right to Life." Tiller, who performed late-term abortions, was gunned down in a Wichita church a week ago. A man who authorities say is an anti-government activist is charged with murder in the case. Kevin Alvarez, 21, one of the protesters, said reproductive rights are not just a women's issue but something everyone should be concerned about. As for Tiller, "He was murdered for providing a service to women," said Alvarez, treasurer of the University of Central Florida chapter of NOW. Mary Wilson, president of the National Organization for Women's local chapter, said many young people don't realize that birth-control devices were illegal for unmarried couples in many states until 1972, and abortion was illegal in most states until 1973.